Hello Lee, When I first began my quest for a healthy lifestyle I put a star on a wall calendar and wrote how many days in a row I had taken a walk. There were plenty of days in those early days when I took a walk simply to earn a star and not break a streak. Now that can be done here at SP. I fell in love with all the benefits of workouts and actually now anticipate them. For nine years I tracked every morsel of food I ate here on Sparkpeople and still track (automatically) my workouts by wearing a BodyMedia Fit monitor. Previously I used a HRM. I still randomly track a day's worth of nutrition now and then just to make certain I am doing what I think I am doing calorie and nutrient wise. I am reminded by BMF to measure once a week and that is typically what I have always done. Like you I do notice fluctuations and do sometimes weigh more often that once a week. I randomly take tape measurements but mostly go by how my clothes fit and make certain to wear my 'skinny' jeans at least once a week so nothing sneaks back up on me The important things you are doing are staying engaged, being resolved and being intelligent about what works for you. I do think the strategies you mentioned will help others so Thank you again for sharing. .....and Happy Dance on your successes

Therefore on my route to losing over 100 pounds (I've still got about 20 to go), I have found that measurement of what I eat and drink, and exactly what exercises I do, and how long I do them, is the key.

To this end, I have:

Positioned 3x5 slips of paper, in every place that may lead to inpu, including my office, the kitchen and the den. (I have a smart phone, but input is slower, and I only tend to use that at restaurants.)

For workouts I have a checklist with all parameters, and places for notes on ease, aches, and changes required. (This is important not only for recording for Spark, and progress, but also for avoiding overdoing it.)

BTW, I weigh myself, every AM, and despite the seemingly random fluctuations, I find this useful, keeping me on track.

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